Free Lunch

I had some yummy free lunch today with my mom, sister, and a friend at Abuelo's at Peninsula Town Center.  They are opening Thursday so were doing test runs with customers, during which they give out free meals.  It was good.  They were inviting people walking by on the mall street, too, if you're interested.  You might take a stroll by this evening and inquire.

Then I headed to Rite Aid because we're getting dangerously low on toilet paper.  At Rite Aid, I failed to use my brain.  It happens.

My total before tax was $11.47.  It should have been $10, but I didn't think to use the Charmin coupon in the free coupon book at the front of the store.  I got $3 back in Up Rewards from the Pantene, so I'm going to go back to get more Charmin tomorrow.  It's on sale for $6.49 less $1.50 less $3 Up Reward and then I'll get $1 Up Reward back, so approx $1 after all that.

Then I headed over to TJ Maxx with a giftcard.  I love both TJ Maxx and giftcards, so it was a happy trip. :)  I spent $17.71 and have .13 cents left on my giftcard.  Yay!

The DuraBone was $2.99

Biodegradable poop bags were $5.99

Tazo Tea was $3.99

I also bought a Christmas present for my sister which is not pictured because she would have peeked even if I told her not to.

I could have spent much, much more, but I was trying to stay within the gift card balance.  I can't go to TJ Maxx too often.  I have no self control in stores like that.

I'm headed back to Kroger again tonight.  I'm getting a little obsessed with that, too.  The savings have been so good, though!  I'm also going to Kohl's.  This may not be good.  Uh-oh.

Don't Forget Your Free Donuts Today!

Don't forget to stop by Krispy Kreme or Dunkin Donuts for a free donut today.  You do have to purchase a drink at DD for the free donut, but KK has no strings attached.

And Happy Doughnut Day to you all! :)

Rent 2 Get 1 Free Redbox

Now through June 30th, when you rent 2 Redbox movies at a time you will get a code by e-mail (within 72 hours) for a free rental

Thanks, STL Mommy!

Steam and Gas Engine Festival

If you're looking for something to do, this weekend, June 5 and 6th Chippokes Farm in Surry will be having their Steam and Gas Engine Festival.  It's not really my thing, but I went up to Chippokes Farm with my sister a few months ago (the lady in charge was her high school art or drama teacher) and it was pretty cool.  I can imaging the festival will be a lot of funny.  I'll be up there with a NAMI booth, so if you've got no other plans, it's something different to do.

The festival is free, I'm not sure about the parking.  I doubt it's more than few dollars, though

Free Sweets

Yum, June 4 is National Doughnut Day (sounds like a fabulous holiday!).  You can get:

Free Krispy Kreme doughnut

Free Dunkin Donut with beverage purchase.

Then, if you haven't had too many calories already, you can get a Free scoop of Friendly's ice cream from 12 pm - 5 pm on June 5.

Thanks, Money Saving Mom!

Printable Deals

I'm going to lump these all into one post here, so bear with me.

Yes, I know the picture is huge and cut off, but doesn't this look so delicious?  This is the E! Entertain-mint Birthday Blend to celebrate E!'s 20th birthday.  They're offering a 20% off coupon to Cold Stone Creamery.  Go here to print the coupon that is good until June 30th.

Print a coupon for free shredding (up to 5 lbs) through June 5th at Office Depot.

Thanks, STL Mommy!

I've ammassed a lot of these lately, but if you haven't, go here to print a coupon for a free full size body item with a $10 purchase at Bath & Body Works.  They're currently having a Buy 3 Get 3 Free Sale so you can turn this into Get 4 Free.  They're also advertising up to 50% off certain items for a Memorial Day Sale, so you may be able to do better.

Chick-Fil-A Reservations Start Today

Okay, I swear the site originally said starting Monday, as did some other bloggers I'm now seeing, but the Get Spicy Chicken website is live today.  Go now to RSVP for your FREE Spicy Chicken sandwich.  You will choose location, date, and time frame.  They will e-mail you a reservation that you will have to print up and show along with ID on the date/time you choose.

Quick Deals Roundup

60 prints for 6.99 at Walgreens now through Saturday, May 22.  Use code SUNNY at checkout then pick up in store.

Free sample from Kotex, go here to choose your sample pack.  These usually come with high value coupons (like the one I used at Rite Aid yesterday to sweeten my deal).

Free shipping at Kohls.com using code freeinmay.  Thanks, Mrs. Moneysaver!

Target.com has updated their coupons.  Go here to print some new ones, including $3 off Merona footwear.  Merona flip flops are reportedly on clearance in some stores, so you should be able to get a good deal.  Reminder that as long as they print up with the saying "Target web coupon" at the top, they can be combined with manufacturer's coupons.  You can print some manufacturer's coupons from the site, too.

Summer Reading Programs = Free Books

I hated summer reading programs, mainly because the "programs" consisted of mandatory summer book reports for school.  Blech.  But if you have a child who genuinely enjoys reading, here are a few programs to take advantage of this summer.

Barnes and Noble:  Kids, 12 and younger, read any 8 books and track then on the Passport to Reading form.  Once completed turn in your Passport in at your local Barnes and Noble before 9/7/10 and get a free book.  There are choices in both English and Spanish.  (Limit 1 form per child)

Borders:  With Borders' program children 12 and younger get a free book when they read 10 books.  All they need to do is track the titles they have read in the Double Dog Dare form.  Bring your completed form by your local Borders before 8/26/10 to claim your free book.  (1 coupon per customer)

Thanks, Common Sense With Money!

Free Samples

Here are some free samples you can currently get from Wal-Mart (without having to go to the store!).  Often these samples include great coupons with them.

Free sample of new Old Spice Odor Blocker Bodywash from Wal-Mart.

Free sample of Dove Ultimate Deodorant.

Free sample of Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant.

Free Dunkin Donuts Coffee

Sorry for the lack of posts this weekend.  I was working on home improvement projects.  We are in the process of putting an offer on a house.  I am getting closer to finished with the stairs.  It was going good until I realized I didn't cut the carpet to cover the back flap of the overhang.  And somehow I had no white paint.  Or a paintbrush, although I was going to just use a toothbrush I got free at the beginning of the year.  So off to Lowe's I went.  Now I just need to cut and staple the overhang and it will be my husband's turn to cut and glue the spindles.

Anyway, if you are in one of these areas you can get a free small Dunkin Donuts iced coffee tomorrow:

Baltimore, MD, Charlottesville, VA, Cleveland, OH, Harrisonburg, VA, Norfolk, VA, Washington, DC, Youngstown, OH, Pittsburgh, PA, Richmond, VA, Roanoke, VA, Salisbury, MD, Philadelphia, PA, or Phoenix, AZ

If you're not, you can still get cheap coffee.  Don't forget Starbucks is running half priced drinks now - May 16th.  My sister treated me and our mom to one yesterday!  It was good!

Mother's Day Deals

In addition to the ones I already posted, here are some free and well, not free, things for Mom on Sunday:

Many Cold Stone Creamery stores will be giving away a free ‘Creation” sundae to moms on Mother’s Day. I would recommend calling your local store ahead of time to find out if they are participating in this promotion.

Use the printable coupon here to get a free meal at Smokey Bones for mom with the purchase of another entree on May 9, 2010.

All mothers who eat at any Fleming’s location on May 9 will receive a free $25 gift card to use on a future visit. There will be a special brunch from 11:30am – 3:00pm, so be sure to make a reservation.

Dine at Champps on Mother’s Day weekend, May 8th-9th, using this coupon and your meal will be free (purchase of an entree required).

But wait, there’s more! Every mom who dines will receive a gift card worth $165 ($15 each month for a year)!

Want to really maximize your savings? Use this gift card on their half-priced burger nights (Sunday and Monday) and you’ll make that $15 go quite far each month!

Money Saving Mom has these and more posted here.  I only highlighted the ones within 50 miles of Hampton Roads.  Note to self: spend Mother's Day closer to Richmond next year!
Where are you going?  Or are you cooking or doing something else special?  We're taking my mom to Carrabba's.  Yum, I can't wait!!

Peninsula Town Center/City Center at Oyster Point May Activities

I've expressed that I'm not impressed by the "new mall" (Peninsula Town Center).  It still hasn't grown on me.  However, it seems like they are doing a lot of activities to try to compete with City Center at Oyster Point.

You can sign up for their e-mail for updates as well as a chance to win a giftcard to one of their stores every month.  Anyway, some of the things they have coming up are:

Music to Honor the Armed Forces
Saturday, May 15th
1:00 pm in the Town Square
Please join us on Saturday, May 15th as the Salvation Army Band and Peninsula Town Center honor the Armed Forces with a special musical performance in Town Square. This event is free and open to the public and begins at 1:00 pm.

See PTC from the Air
Monday, May 31, 2010
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Come join the Memorial Day fun at Peninsula Town Center on Monday, May 31, 2010 from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Two hot air balloons will take off for tethered rides at a cost of $5 per person. Advanced same-day registration is required. Weather permitting. View details here.

Strolling performers
Weekends in May
Noon to 4:00 PM, Mother's Day 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Strolling performers, including jugglers, face painters and balloon artists will be entertaining guests throughout the Town Center!

Saturdays in the Square
Saturdays May 29 - Sept. 4
Noon to 4:00 PM
Music, family-friendly activities, fountain fun!

Then, City Center has:
May 7, 2010; 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., May 8, 2010; 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m
Sidewalk Sale
Mariners Row - Retail District
Take your pick from a variety of great seasonal items. This is a great time to shop for Mom. Enjoy live entertainment. Free parking. Free Admission.

May 14, 2010; 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fridays @ The Fountain
City Center Fountain Plaza
The River Boyz. Begin your weekend here. Join us for City Center’s Friday Concerts by our region’s best bands. Bring your friends, lawn chairs, blankets, and dancing shoes. Free Parking. Free Admission. Sponsored by BOB FM.

May 21, 2010; 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Off the Record.

May 28, 2010; 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Butter.

Freebie Roundup

Friend Kraft on Facebook and you can sign up to get a Free Kraft Summer Sampler Pack.  Each pack contains 4 items as well as a rebate offer for $10 back when you spent $30 on Kraft products.  The site was moving slow for me earlier, but give it time.
Thanks, STL Mommy!

I'll remind you closer to the time, but if you want to bookmark it now, feel free.  From May 31 - June 5, Chick-fil-A is giving a limited number of FREE Spicy Chicken Sandwiches to customers who make a reservation.  The reservation site will be Get Spicy Chicken and will be live Friday, May 21.  I've heard rumors this sandwich is good!

FREE PAP Smear in Newport News 05/05/10 only

So in my Saving Money on Healthcare post I mentioned that they have free screenings from time to time.  Well, this week is it!  I saw the ad in the paper today.

"In honor of National Women's Health Checkup Day, the Peninsula Health District and Riverside Cancer Care are offering women of our community a free Cervical Cancer Screening (PAP smear), one of the first steps in identifying if you are at risk for cancer.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010
1 pm - 5 pm
Peninsula Health Center
416 J. Clyde Morris Blvd
Newport News

For women ages 21 to 70 who live in Newport News, Poquoson, James City County, York County, and Williamsburg.
Call 1-800-520-7006 to register."

I'm not sure where the number links to, so you may be unable to reach anyone today, but I'd certainly try calling today.

** I'll have some more deals listed later today.  The coupons in today's paper are awesome, I'm forseeing A LOT of free things in our futures.  Farm Fresh is also doubling coupons up to $1 Sunday-Tuesday so I'll probably hit that sale again with some coupons from today's paper.

Target Giftcard Giveaway

My next giveaway will be a $20 Target giftcard.  You have until 10 pm EST Wednesday, May 5th to enter.

Just leave a comment and let me know I'm not the only one who doesn't always listen to their husband... Okay, not really, but poor guy just spent 3 minutes telling me who Jeff Bridges was for me to finally pay attention and say, oh you mean Jeff Bridges?

Instead, just leave me your favorite ice cream flavor in comments. :)
(By the way, Jimmy literally just got into the Skinny Cow Mint Ice Cream sandwiches and said they're really good!)

Free Comic Book Day

If you or someone you know is into comic books, this Saturday, May 1 is the 9th Annual Free Comic Book Day.

Savvy Shopper has the line-up of participating locations in Hampton Roads:

Store owners will provide an array of titles for the giveaway, including storylines from the Archie series, Dark Horse comics, DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Store owners must purchase the comics for the event, so freebies are only available while supplies last. And be prepared to choose just one of the titles available.

Here are the participating stores on the Peninsula:

Benders. The Phoebus-area store will be giving away the free comics while supplies last. 22 S. Mallory St., Hampton. 723-3741.

Amazing Fantasy Comics. In addition to the free comics, local comic book creators will sign their books from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the 501st Legion, a group that dresses up as Star Wars characters to raise money for charity, will appear at the store from 3 to 5 p.m. 14346 Warwick Blvd., Newport News. 877-6030.

Amazing Fantasy also has a location in Yorktown. The 501st Legion will appear at that location from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m and the local comic book creators will sign books from 3 to 5 p.m. Village Shops at Kiln Creek, 209 Village Ave. 874-0600.

Heroes & Villains. Free comics while supplies last. 1152 Big Bethel Road, Hampton. 838-4431.

World's Best Comics. Free comics while supplies last. 9714 Warwick Blvd., Newport News. 595-9005.
Comic Cubicle. If you head to this location, look for the superhero characters that will be wandering around New Town. 4809 Courthouse St., Williamsburg. 229-5299.

Jersey's Cards, Comics & Gaming. In addition to the free comics, the store is hosting several open gaming events. 8100 George Washington Memorial Highway, Yorktown. 890-2842.

Freebies Round Up

This week is National Pet ID week.  In honor of this, Found Animals is offering a free dog tag.  Go here to pick one out.

Thanks, My Litter!

Origins recently posted on Facebook that they are giving away FREE products for Earth Day. Simply bring your current skincare product to any Origins counter on 4/22, and they'll trade you for either an Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash or an Origins Perfect World Antioxidant Cleanser with White Tea, up to a $20 value.

Go here to locate a store/counter near you.

Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!

Kraft has teamed up with Minor League Baseball to offer a free ticket when you buy another for Tuesday night home games through Sept 7th.  All you have to do is take an empty Kraft Singles wrapper with you to the box office.

Go here to find a minor league team near you.

Free Skin Cancer Screenings

My next post is going to be on saving money on healthcare, but here's a quick one before I get into it.  (I'm really annoyed that I just this week got a magazine with this ad in it as screenings started March 29th.)  Aveeno, Rite Aid, and The Skin Cancer Foundation have teamed up on the third annual Healthy Skin Tour.

They'll be making an estimated 80 stops in 24 states to do free skin cancer screens.  These will be done by local dermatologists who have offered to do this, so this will be real doctors, not whomever they've pulled to travel and do screens.

I cannot stress the importance of doing this.  I don't care if you've never stepped out of your house a day in your life without sunscreen, it is important to get screened.  If you do have insurance, they will cover a yearly skin cancer screen.  In the past four years I've had five moles removed, and last year had to go back and had more skin removed on my back as two biopsies came back abnormal.  I'm not a sun worshipper, but definitely am careful to wear sunscreen when I'm going to be outside.

Free National Park Admission

(photo courtesy of the Official Jamestown Settlement website)

National Park Week Runs April 17-25th.  The US National Park Service has a listing of all the participating parks.  Locally, both Jamestown and Yorktown parks will be free.